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Cape Town - With global sales in excess of 13-million units since its launch in 1990, the Renault Clio is the best-selling French car of all time.

Its a success story that has continued with the fourth-generation Clio’s launch into more than 100 countries worldwide and into South Africa in April 2013.

Around 20 000 Clio 4 models have been sold since its 2013 launch in SA and has consistently been a top five performer in its class, says Renault SA. In November 2016, the automaker opted to refresh its stalwart model.

On the outside

The Clio’s front bumper has been reshaped and the lower re-proportioned grid is now visibly broader. At the rear, the skirt has also been redesigned.

The Clio Dynamique variant borrows full-LED front lighting signature from its current Renault’s stablemates. Renault says its full LED “pure vision” headlights are 20% more powerful than a halogen beam.

Refinement for textures, colours, materials

Changes inside include a redesigned leather steering wheel and materials employed in Renault’s top-of-the-range models. The gear lever, as well as the door panels, has also been redesigned.

Image: QuickPic

New technologies

R&GO

The R&Go application is exclusive to the Clio Authentique. Renault says the system’s easy-to-use and customisable interface allows for a closer mix between the smartphone and automotive worlds.

The R&Go app has been split into four different areas:

1. Multimedia:

• Controls radio, sound and smartphone music • Selects and manages other audio media (from USB / iPod for example) • Identifies songs from radio while playing

The three-cylinder 66kW petrol Turbo engine powers the Clio Dynamique, Expression and Authentique models. It has 66kW/140Nm, covers 0 to 100km/h in 12.9 seconds, with a top speed of 178kph. Renault claims a fuel rating of 5.5-litres/100km. It has a five-speed manual gearbox.

The Clio Expression EDC is powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo engine. The 88kW/190Nm engine needs 9.4sec to do the 0 to 100km/h sprint, onto a top speed of 199km/h. it uses a six-speed EDC auto gearbox.